Belts, a question.

[davedove]

Now can someone explain why no belt with a vest? Is this just a fashion statement? Do you put buttons on the inside of the vest if your design say a belt is needed to help hold up your kilt?

The main reason not to wear a belt and a waistcoat/vest is that the vest doesn't lay right and tends to bulge over the belt.

As far as needing to hold up the kilt, if the kilt is properly fitted it will stay up on its own.

[pdcorlis]

Personally, I think a belt helps add to the overall visual balance of the kilt and also keeps it looking masculine - so for me its a kilt and a belt unless I'm wearing a waistcoat or sweater.

[thescot]

The main reason not to wear a belt and a waistcoat/vest is that the vest doesn't lay right and tends to bulge over the belt.

Yeah, I tried a belt and waistcoat one time because I had a new beckle I was dying to wear. I decided, "Hekc with what they say about no belt with a vest; I'm wearing it anyway."

Well They--whoever they are--were right. My vest poked out in front over the buckle and looked kind of funny, so I took the d&%$ed thing off and went without the bolt.

I loved that buckle, too.

[A Hay]

I like the solid feel of a wide belt and I also think it looks good with the kilt and sporran. Always wear both when I'm out and about.
Plus, my wife likes the smell of leather and I do too. (My office/workshop is starting to smell like a leather shop!!)

Tom

[Bob C]

Yeah, I tried a belt and waistcoat one time because I had a new beckle I was dying to wear. I decided, "Hekc with what they say about no belt with a vest; I'm wearing it anyway."

Well They--whoever they are--were right. My vest poked out in front over the buckle and looked kind of funny, so I took the d&%$ed thing off and went without the bolt.

I loved that buckle, too.

You should have ditched the vest and worn the belt!

My opinion - a kilt does not look right without a wide belt.

[Robinhood]

I think a big manly belt definitely looks better,
though I don't wear one. My waist is bigger
than my hips, so to keep my kilt up it would
need to be pulled uncomfortably tight. I
use suspenders to keep the kilt up, and
cut the front of the kilt lower so it doesn't
look odd without the belt.

[Dirka Skene]

My husband usually wears his regular belt with his kilt. He never wears his pants without it, so why wear his kilt without it?

[macwilkin]

If you look at photos of gents in "day attire" from the mid 20th century, you will see quite a few of them wearing tweed kilt jackets and the like with no belts underneath, and it doesn't look bad, INMHO.

I used to be very paranoid about always wearing a belt with a kilt, but now my kilt belt spends most of the time in my closet in a plastic tub. I prefer the "beltless" look, mostly because everyone else wears them!

A good tailored kilt doesn't need a belt to hold it up. But a waistcoat -- it adds a wee bit o'....wait for it...panache!

Cheers,

Todd

[Nanook]

A good tailored kilt doesn't need a belt to hold it up.

I may add: a properly fitting kilt needs to be VERY snug and firm and not to move, shift or bounce about. Only when you suck in your gut and hold your breath should it be movable.

Belts are a difficult terrain. They are within civilian modes of dress nearly always informal. Belts are generally considered as inappropriate to formal or business attire as training shoes. A well dressed gentleman is probably best advised to avoid wearing belts

If one needs a belt to hold up one's pants then one needs no belt but a better tailor! :-)

Belts with kilts are fine with a tweed day jacket but their buckles should typically be either brass or (to be more modern) brushed steel but not polished white metal. Silver buckles are considered more formal where they are, more often than not, out of place.

But a waistcoat -- it adds a wee bit o'....wait for it...panache!

I agree. I tend, however, to like contrast.

[johnnym]

My USA "American Heritage" was tailored to fit (Thanks, Roger) and does not need a belt. Same for the off-the-rack MacKenzie. However, I have an older, solid dark blue generic no-name that has only velcro, no buckles, to securely fasten. Although the velcro holds well, I do not have the secure feeling that the buckles give. Thus, I wear a wide belt with it - just in case.